Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Paul Ryan, arrived in Tallinn on Saturday, where he met with Prime Minister Jüri Ratas (Center) and later on also President Kersti Kaljulaid. Ryan expressed unwavering support for NATO and promised that the U.S. would stand with Estonia in case of any danger coming to the country.

Ryan said at a joint press conference with the prime minister in Tallinn’s Stenbock House that what Estonia had achieved was “inspiring”, and that the U.S. appreciated Estonia’s history, freedom, independence, and culture.

The speaker said that the bilateral relations between Estonia and the U.S. were strong and only getting stronger. He thanked Estonia for its dedication to NATO’s aim that all its members spend at least 2 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on national defense, and also for its engagement in cyber defense. Ryan promised that the U.S. would stand shoulder to shoulder with Estonia against all threats to its security, including those coming from the East.

Asked if the U.S. would manage to support Eastern Europe despite the crises and engagements elsewhere in the world, Ryan said that the alliance’s necessity was in its ability to unite its members’ force.

Ryan and his congressional delegation met with President Kersti Kaljulaid after their meeting with Ratas. Ryan is accompanied by other members of the house, including Mac Thornberry, Brian Mast, Don Bacon, Martha Roby, Jeb Hensarling, Ron Kind, and Gregory Meeks.